The Afterschool Advisor
March 2017
Registration Now Open for Impact 2017!
Impact After School Conference logo Join 200 of your friends from across the state at the 5th annual Impact After School Conference! Topics will include creating safe and supportive environments, STEM, elementary and middle school literacy, elementary poetry, and much, much more! Be sure to register early to ensure your place at the Impact Conference. Find out more and register online here.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Simon Silva knows firsthand the importance of education and is the only person in his family to graduate from college. One of eleven children in a family of field workers, he grew up as a migrant student and relied heavily on his artistic skills and interest to cope with what was, at times, a difficult childhood. Simon shares an insightful view of creativity while telling a compelling story of struggle and hope. Simon connects with audiences with a powerful message about perseverance and success.

WORKSHOP TOPICS
Impact always brings you a wealth of workshops to choose from and this year is no different! Here is just a sampling of what to expect this year.
  • Elementary Poetry
  • Creating Safe and Empowering Environments for Youth
  • Rural Programming
  • STEM
  • Literacy
  • Investing in Yourself
  • Much, much more!
Download an almost final schedule of the days' sessions here!

Register online today!
Nominate an Outstanding Program and/or Student
The Afterschool Champions and 21CCLC Stars Awards recognize the best of the best in afterschool and summer in Iowa. Afterschool Champions are recognized in the following categories:
  • Advocate of the Year
  • Afterschool Innovator
  • Collaboration
  • Principal of the Year
  • Friend of Afterschool
  • Outstanding Student

New this year, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, specifically, will be recognized in the following categories as 21CCLC Stars:

  • Literacy Improvement
  • STEM Achievement
  • Youth Community Contribution
  • All Around

Please nominate a program or several programs today! They will receive an award and certificate, recognition at Impact 2017, as well as opportunities to be recognized by the Iowa Afterschool Alliance and Iowa Department of Education throughout the year.  

 

Nominate a program or programs online today!
IAA Legislative Events a Big Success!
On February 14 and 15, 2017, the Iowa Afterschool Alliance hosted several legislative events at the Capitol. Over 50 legislators and many more staff visited us over the two days. This is a huge accomplishment! Many advocates and youth were in attendance to talk to legislators about what they do in their afterschool program and why afterschool programming is important to them. Thanks to all who were able to make it! Please plan to join us next Valentine's Day for our annual legislative events!

Students show Representative Gassman how their 3-D printer works.


 Representative Rogers looks on as a student showcases a project.


Representative Brown-Powers talks with constituents.
Building a Culture of Wellness
This training is focused on introducing and building a Culture of Wellness to support healthy youth outcomes in Out-of-School-Time (OST). Facilitated by a youth development professional from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, the training will focus on developing programmatic strategic and intentional approaches aimed at creating an environment in OST that promotes holistic health and well-being of youth, OST professionals, families, and communities inclusive of social and emotional health, nutrition education and healthy eating practices, physical education and routine physical activity, and the promotion and adoption of healthy behaviors.

The training will focus on introducing the National Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards, applying HEPA strategies to your organization using the five key elements of youth development, creating a culture that supports health and wellness, and providing tools to action planning around meeting HEPA goals. 

Participants receive a $50 stipend for participating, if allowed. Lunch will be served. Child care credits will be available.

Date and Time: Friday, March 31, 2017; 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: United Way of Central Iowa, Des Moines, IA
Registration: http://bit.ly/CultureofWellness       
Iowa Arts Grants Now Open
The Iowa Arts Council has opened another grant cycle for numerous grants. A few of importance to afterschool include:
  • Arts Build Communities Grant - Apply for funding to support an arts project that addresses a civic challenge or issue facing your community. Grant recipients will receive technical assistance to help develop the project from either Iowa State University, University of Iowa or University of Northern Iowa. $10,000; Apply by May 1.
  • Art Project Grant - Apply for funding to support the creation and presentation of new artwork, development of an arts experience or formation of an arts education program. Project grants provide you support to positively impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa by creating arts opportunities that are accessible to all Iowans. Up to $10,000; Apply by May 1.
  • Cultural Heritage Project Grant - Apply for funding to support a community project that creates jobs for Iowans and provides access to a cultural heritage experience. Up to $10,000; Apply by May 1.
Reading Website Redesign
As part of the effort to make their new website user-friendly, the Iowa Reading Research Center has compiled their reading resources in two places. On the  resources page, you will find checklists, facilitation guides for educators to help family members of students who are English language learners, graphic organizers, and more resources created or compiled by the IRRC. On the web resources for families and educators page, they have maintained a list of resources from around the web that support literacy development for children, both in the classroom and at home. They plan to add a few more features and enhancements to our new website in the coming months. Find out more about the IRRC on their website at https://iowareadingresearch.org/.
Enrichment Grants Opportunity
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The Foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students' knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them.

To find out more and to apply online, please visit their website at https://mccartheydressman.org/academic-enrichment-grants/.
STEM Research Shows Afterschool Works!
STEM Ready America: Inspiring and Preparing Students for Success with Afterschool and Summer Learning,a compendium of articles from 40 leading experts is featured on a new website www.stemreadyamerica.org. The site provides success stories, research, and articles on STEM learning from policymakers, educators, and business, foundation, and youth development leaders. From Executive Editor Ron Ottinger of STEM Next, this powerful collection of articles portrays the state of the field of STEM learning --- especially in the time and space beyond school.

THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR:
Students participating in afterschool programs that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) reported increased interest in science careers and gains in important 21st century skills --- such as critical thinking and perseverance that are in high demand in today's workforce.
New Report Highlights Need for and Impact of OST
The Iowa Afterschool Alliance has released a key, statewide report on afterschool and summer learning titled the State of Afterschool and Summer Programming in Iowa. Released officially on October 20, 2016, at the Summit on Advancing Academic and Social Outcomes for Iowa Children and Youth, the report details current youth and community issues in Iowa and how afterschool and summer programming can help mitigate some of these issues.

Also included in the report are program profiles from across the state and a report on what afterschool and summer programming currently looks like statewide. Read it online on the Iowa Afterschool Alliance website at www.iowaafterschoolalliance.org.
New Publication Series on Summer
The National Summer Learning Association has released its first issue in a series of publications on summer learning across the country called SPARK! The first issue explores the six key elements of successful systems for summer learning, including data management and leadership. Read the first issue online here.
Follow IAA on Facebook for Latest Updates
Facebook Follow the Iowa Afterschool Alliance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/iowaafterschoolalliance for the latest updates on the Every Student Succeeds Act (formerly No Child Left Behind), PD opportunities, IAA activities, and grant opportunities. Expect an update on an issue of interest every day! You can also follow us on Twitter by following @iowaafterschool.
SEDL Resources for Afterschool
Looking for resources on how to run a high-quality program? SEDL, an affiliate of the American Institutes for Research, has no-cost resources on lesson plans, practitioners' guides, and training toolkits. Visit the National Center for Quality Afterschool here: http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/.  
Professional Development Opportunities
Out of School Time Professional Development Center
The Out of School Time Professional Development Center provides Out of School Time training to OST professionals. The classes provide in-depth curriculum and certificates. If you or your staff are interested in signing up for courses visit the Out-of-School Time website. Check out the entire course catalog here. 
 
Great Content on Y4Y!
You 4 Youth is a free online professional development site that is designed to support 21CCLC program staff, but is a valuable tool for any afterschool professional looking to build their skills! Recently, Y4Y has rolled out a whole module on literacy. Click here to register.

Afterschool Alliance Webinars
The Afterschool Alliance offers webinars on a wide range of topics, from policy and the new Every Student Succeeds Act, to STEM and Social-Emotional Learning. Find out more on their webinars website.

Iowa Child Care Training Registry
Find professional development for school-age programming on the State of Iowa Child Care Training Registry on topics ranging from health and safety to developmentally appropriate programming. Find out more online

NAA Talk Tuesday PD Resources
Talk Tuesday provides afterschool professionals with the resources to host relevant discussions among peers, colleagues, staff, or community leaders. If you are looking to connect with afterschool professionals in your area or engage your staff with relevant topics, Talk Tuesday will provide the materials for you.

Find out more on their website here.
 
2017 Social and Emotional Learning Conference: Building Skills for Lifelong Success
March 13, 2017; Harrisburg, PA
This conference is designed to provide quality professional development opportunities for school administrators, school psychologists, school counselors, social workers, youth development workers, teachers, school nurses, SAP team members, alternative education teachers, homeless liaisons, foster care points of contact, early childhood professionals and other community partners.

Find out more at https://selconference.center-school.org/.

National AfterSchool Association Convention
March 19 - 22, 2017; Dallas, TX
NAA's Annual Convention delivers exceptional learning and networking opportunities for every participant. With inspirational keynote speakers, more than 150 engaging workshops and unique networking events, Convention is the premier event for afterschool and out-of-school time professionals. - See more at: http://naaweb.org/attend#sthash.M2U3vxZB.dpuf

For more information and to register, visit the convention website at http://naaweb.org/convention.

Building a Culture of Wellness
March 31, 2017; Des Moines, IA
The training will focus on introducing the National Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards, applying HEPA strategies to your organization using the five key elements of youth development, creating a culture that supports health and wellness, and providing tools to action planning around meeting HEPA goals. Participants receive a $50 stipend for participating, if allowed. Lunch will be served. Child care credits available.

Register online here.    

Best of Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Conference
April 18 - 21, 2017; Palm Springs, CA
Join the largest, most recognized and comprehensive global convening for after school, expanded learning, and out-of-school time professionals. Set in a retreat-like atmosphere, this annual, extraordinary event will rejuvenate your passion, boost your direction for quality programming and provide tools and resources that will inspire you to create change.

For more information visit the BOOST Conference website. 

How to Write Winning Grants and Smile While Doing It
April 25, 2017; Des Moines, IA
This session from the write of Grant Writing for Dummies will lead you through the grant writing process, including logic models and evaluation plan. A panel of funders gives you more in-depth perspective on the grant process to help you write more persuasive grants in the future!

Register online here.  

Iowa Impact After School Conference
April 27 & 28, 2017; Des Moines, IA
Join 200 of your friends and colleagues in Des Moines for the 5th annual Impact Afterschool School Conference! Topics will include creating safe and supportive environments, Pint Size Poetry, STEM, elementary and middle school literacy, classroom management, and much, much more! A special pre-conference focused on STEM will be held the Wednesday prior to the conference.

Register online here.  
 
NSLA Summer Changes Everything Conference
October 23 - 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ
This national conference on afterschool and summer learning brings together over 1,000 of the nation's top thinkers to share and discuss the partnerships, policies and programs that are breaking down traditional notions of when and where learning occurs.

For more information, visit the Summer Changes Everything website. 
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